Top 10 conservation organisations in the UK

You don’t have to be an environmental scientist or marine biologist to build a career in conservation. Check out our top 10 conservation organisations in the UK to start your search.

Want a job where you can help protect our planet and the wonderful menagerie of animals that inhabit it? With the demand for environmental jobs spiking by 91% in 2021, you’re not alone.  

Fortunately, studies have shown that the natural environment supports almost 750,000 full-time jobs and over £27.5 billion of economic output across the UK. That means there are plenty of job opportunities for all you budding conservationists.

The best news? You don’t have to be an environmental scientist or marine biologist to build a career in conservation. Whether you’re a fundraising pro, a marketeer or a HR superstar, you can find a job in marine or land conservation right here on Jobs For Good.  

Here are our top 10 conservation organisations in the UK

Action for Conservation

Action for Conservation is an innovative young charity using pioneering approaches to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders and bring about systemic change in the wider environmental sector and Government.

They are uniquely placed to bridge the space between traditional environmental organisations and the burgeoning youth movements. The team know that the best antidote to anxiety about the ecological emergency and the inaction of our leaders is to grow connections to place and empower young people to take practical action to protect the living world.

Location: London

CEO: Hendrikus van Hensbergen

Learn more about Action for Conservation

Cool Earth

Cool Earth exists to back people, to protect rainforest and fight the climate crisis. They raise and give cash directly, and partner with indigenous people and local communities on projects that tackle the root causes of deforestation.

Right now the world is in a climate crisis. People have lived in balance with forest for thousands of years. The real rainforest experts, now face extreme injustice whilst living on the front line of the climate crisis. The most effective way to fight back is to protect the best carbon-storing technology that already exists: rainforest.

Location: Cornwall  

Director: Matthew Owen

Learn more about Cool Earth  

Rewilding Britain

Rewilding is about restoring nature to the point where it can take care of itself. It's a way to replenish, reconnect and revitalise our nature, communities and economies.

Rewilding Britain was established in 2014 as the first charity in Britain focused on rewilding. They want to see at least a million hectares rewilded with flourishing natural processes by the end of the century. They’re here to show that rewilding can work in our country - by pioneering projects at a scale new to Britain and pushing for the policy changes needed for rewilding to spread far and wide.

Location: West Sussex

Director: Alastair Driver

Learn more about Rewilding Britain  

Marine Conservation Society

The Marine Conservation Society (MSC) is fighting for a cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean: one we can all enjoy. MCS is the voice for everyone who loves the sea, and they’re working to secure a future for our living seas, and to save our threatened sea life before it is lost forever.

Levels of beach litter have doubled over the last decade; the MSC works to clear our seas of the rising tide of rubbish that is so dangerous to sea life, including seabirds, whales and dolphins. Their work ensures that the sea’s rich wildlife can be restored, fish stocks grow more plentiful, and our beaches and seawater become cleaner.

Location: Herefordshire

Chief Executive: Sandy Luk  

Learn more about Marine Conservation Society

The Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust’s vision is a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. Their team aims to create new native woodland with the help of communities, schools, organisations and individuals.

The Woodland Trust try to protect our precious ancient woods, restore the ones that are damaged and fight for those under threat. They do this by inspiring people up and down the country to visit woods, plant trees, and enjoy the many benefits that woodland has to offer.

Location: Lincolnshire

Founder: Kenneth Watkins  

Learn more about The Woodland Trust

RSPB

Since starting out on their mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but The RSPB has grown to meet them too.  

They are now the largest nature conservation charity in the UK, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.

Location: Bedfordshire

President: Dr Amir Khan

Learn more about RSPB

WWF

WWF is the world’s leading independent conservation organisation. Their mission is to create a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.

To achieve their mission, they’re finding ways to help transform the future for the world’s wildlife, rivers, forests and seas; pushing for a reduction in carbon emissions that will avoid catastrophic climate change; and pressing for measures to help people live sustainably, within the means of our one planet.

Location: Surrey

CEO: Tanya Steele

Learn more about WWF

WildTeam

WildTeam is providing conservationists with key skills to save more wildlife. They deliver both class-based and online training in key skills which help conservationists to increase their efficiency and impact.

WildTeam has worked with teams around the world to help them improve their project management processes, create best practices on key conservation issues and develop a strategy for achieving their conservation goals.

Location: Cornwall

Director: Lucy Boddam-Whetham

Learn more about WildTeam

Butterfly Conservation

Butterfly Conservation is a leading charity and the world’s largest organisation dedicated to the conservation of butterflies and moths. Their mission is to halt and then reverse the decline of butterflies and moths. By achieving this goal, they can help create a healthier environment in which we all can live.

Butterfly Conservation’s research advises people how to conserve and restore habitats. They run programmes for more than 100 threatened species and are involved in conserving hundreds of sites and reserves.  

Location: Dorset

CEO: Julie Williams

Learn more about Butterfly Conservation

Conservation Guide

Conservation Guide is a marketplace for quality conservation experiences. They list quality opportunities around the world that provide you with knowledge, skills and experience in conservation.

Whether you’re a casual bird-lover or have a PhD in dolphin communication, they’ll connect you with amazing organisations worldwide to take your passion further.

Location: London  

Founders: Justin Lennon  

Learn more about Conservation Guide

Looking for a job where you can make real change? Find jobs in land and marine conservation.